Cheryl Burke Says Leaving “DWTS” 'Was Scary' and Admits She Still Has 'a Lot of Mixed Emotions' (Exclusive)

The dancer, who hosts the podcast 'Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans' on iHeartRadio, spoke to PEOPLE for One Last Thing

<p>Joey Andrew/Startraks</p> Cheryl Burke 2023

Joey Andrew/Startraks

Cheryl Burke 2023

Cheryl Burke has learned to face her fears.

Chatting with PEOPLE for this week's issue, the professional dancer — who left ABC's hit reality series Dancing with the Stars in November 2022 — admits saying goodbye to the show was one of the hardest things she's ever done.

"I think my decision to leave the show was scary," says Burke, 39. "It had been 26 seasons. Either I was going to make the decision or when I was 50, they were."

Related: Cheryl Burke Describes — and Names — the Perfect Dance Partner: I Want a 'Good Person' (Exclusive)

Eric McCandless/ABC/Getty
Eric McCandless/ABC/Getty

Burke says her podcast, which delves into juicy behind-the-scenes insights on DWTS, has helped her come to terms with not being on the show anymore.

"My therapist says normally I'm a professional runner, meaning I like to run away from my problems," she adds. "And now I have to actually face it and face my feelings and feel everything. There's a lot of mixed emotions happening, put it that way."

Related: Cheryl Burke Says She's a 'Work in Progress 'Til the Day I Die' amid Ongoing Mental Health Journey (Exclusive)

<p>iHeartPodcasts</p>

iHeartPodcasts

Burke, who hosts the podcast Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans, spoke to the magazine for One Last Thing.

Last perfect day off
I’ve started to learn how to bake, and I didn’t know what a teaspoon versus a tablespoon was. But my parents flew in, and I baked all day. I’ll be Martha Stewart soon.

Last fashion disaster
My first red carpet photo. I had no makeup on, my little Dumb and Dumber haircut and seashells glued on to my bootleg jeans. I don’t know what happened.

Last moment of bliss
There are a lot because I do Transcendental Meditation. It took me a while to get into it, but it really has helped.

Last wardrobe malfunction
I was dancing on the show, and my mic pack fell out. But it had beige wrapping, so it looked like my boob. People were like, “What is that thing?” Actually I don’t think my boob would be able to flap around that much.

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Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans is available on iHeartRadio.

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